Feds rule Mexico didn't discriminate against female athletes

Mexico, NY -- The U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights has ruled the Mexico school district did not discriminate against girls on its athletic teams.

In a ruling issued Monday, the office stated "there is insufficient evidence of a violation of Title IX with respect to the three allegations raised in the complaint."

Elizabeth Passer, of Mexico, filed a complaint with the federal government last April after the district reduced the number of coaches for girls' lacrosse. She believed there should be the same number of coaches in all contact sports in the district and objected to a district decision to move two assistant coaching positions from girls' lacrosse to boys' and girls' track.

She wanted these positions to remain with lacrosse, so there would be two coaches each for varsity, junior varsity and modified teams. Passer's husband, David, is the varsity girls' lacrosse coach.

Tuesday night, Passer said she could not comment on the Office of Civil Rights decision because she has not seen it.

Superintendent Nelson Bauersfeld was pleased with the decision.

"It's good news for us," he said. "We have always believed we treat all students fairly and equitably and provide all students with the same opportunities."

The complaint alleged the Mexico school district discriminated on the basis of sex in its interscholastic athletics program for grades 7-12 by failing to effectively accommodate the athletic interests and abilities of female students; and failing to provide female athletes with an equal opportunity to receive coaching.

James Bradshaw, speaking for the education department, said the complaint also claimed the district reduced the number of coaches assigned to the girls' lacrosse teams in school year 2008-2009 in retaliation for Passer's advocacy on behalf of female athletes.

Passer, whose two daughters played lacrosse last spring, wondered why the ratio of coach to athletes for girls lacrosse was 1 to 17, while the radio in varsity football was 1 to 12. Bauersfeld said in the spring that the assistant coaching positions were moved to track because there were more students on the track team.

Another investigation of the Mexico district also is in the hands of the Office of Civil Rights. This complaint deals with accessibility for the disabled. The person who brought that complaint has not been named.